 Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 10 Aug 2006 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 10 Aug 2006 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 10 Aug 2006 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 10 Aug 2006 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 10 Aug 2006 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 10 Aug 2006 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 10 Aug 2006 |
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| 10 Aug 2006 - Prostejov, Czech Republic - Isabelle Gemmel and Anna Reed | |
| Japan and New Zealand surprise semifinalists in Prostejov |
As the sun once again shone on the clay courts of Prostejov, the final group ties took place on Thursday. Teams had one last attempt to come top of their groups and secure their place in Friday’s semifinals.
GIRLS
Group A
Number 1 seed France faced Netherlands, its main group rival today, both teams having won both previous ties and five out of six matches. France’s Chloe Babet scored a convincing victory over Sabine Van Der Sar, but then Richel Hogenkamp defeated France’s Marie Menacer in a straight sets. All hopes rested on the doubles, which proved to be a three set epic. At 54 in the second set, France had two match points, but failed to seize victory. Another match point at 54 in the third set and again Netherlands fought right back. This nail-biting match was eventually won by Netherlands 86, giving them a 2-1 win in the tie and securing them a perhaps unexpected place in the semifinal against Ukraine.
The other tie saw struggling Indonesia take on the USA, who also lost both previous ties. USA won the tie with 30.
Group B
Ukraine versus Uzbekistan promised to be an exciting match with both teams entering the tie on an even footing having both won all rubbers to date. Ukraine swept to victory in the singles. Albina Khabibulina (UZB) impressed, but was unable to conquer the powerful Nadiya Kichenok of Ukraine. Uzbekistan’s victory in the doubles unfortunately could not earn them a place in tomorrow’s semifinal.
Chile faced South Africa and both took their first rubbers in the tie, South Africa’s Megan Morris winning the first singles while Chile’s Camila Silva triumphed in the second singles. The deciding doubles was won by Chile in straight sets.
Group C
Russia continued its winning streak and easily topped Group C following its 3-0 defeat of Thailand. Having not dropped a set so far, Russia is looking particularly strong going into the semifinals where it will face Canada.
Number 3 seed Poland who had so far disappointed managed to recover some ground in their 30 win over Argentina.
Group D
As the day progressed, the race in Group D still looked quite open. The two seeded teams, Canada and Paraguay, came head to head on Thursday. Canada took the first match, but with Paraguay’s Veronica Cepede levelling the tie in the second singles, all depended on the doubles, which was eventually won by Canada in a close three set contest.
Czech Republic versus China also depended on the outcome of the doubles. In the singles matches, Czech Republic took the lead in three sets, but were then beaten by China in another three set match in the second singles. The doubles went to the traditionally strong doubles nation China. This leaves the Czech team playing off for positions 13 to 16 from tomorrow onwards.
BOYS
Group A
In the boys’ competition, Russia once again proved why it is seeded first in its match against China. In the singles an impressive display by Richard Muzaev was followed by another good performance from Ashot Kacharyan in the second. A straight set victory in the doubles ensured a clear victory for Russia and sees them at the top of their group.
Spain finally managed to turn its fortunes around in a 3-0 victory over Venezuela. This late burst however is not enough to earn them a place in the semifinal.
Group B
Much to the home crowd’s delight, Czech Republic managed to come back from their defeat in the first singles match by Italy, to take the second thanks to a fine performance by Jan Hradsky. However, in a close doubles match, Italy inched ahead and secured their spot in the semifinal where it will take on Russia.
India took on Mexico and triumphed in a very close first singles match. It cemented its victory with another win by Yuki Bhambri, before Mexico won the dead doubles rubber.
Group C
In Group C Germany defeated Morocco 3-0 and kept their hopes alive to be first of their group.
All depended now on the result of Japan and Brazil. This was tied at 1-1 after the singles and Shu Saito and Yasutaka Uchiyama (JPN) were playing against Eduardo Dischinger and Joao Victor Fernandes (BRA). The Japanese won in straight sets and booked a place in the semifinal tomorrow.
Group D
Hungary and New Zealand played in Group D to determine who would challenge Japan in tomorrow’s semifinal. After having lost the first tie, the New Zealand team made another comeback when Sebastian Lavie defeated Mate Zsiga in straight sets. The pair of Lavie and Ben McLachlan won the deciding doubles to set up a semifinal between two unseeded teams, Japan and New Zealand.
In the second match of the day USA saved its honour by defeating Argentina. The tie was decided after the singles as Shaun Bernstein and Ryan Harrison overcame Tomas Buchhass and Federico Coria respectively.
Results in pdf format can be found below.
Related Articles
> Another Coria makes his mark in Prostejov
> Upsets reign on Tuesday as play moves indoors
> World Junior Tennis Finals get underway in Czech Republic
> 2006 World Junior Tennis Competition Finals
> Players Blog from World Junior Tennis Finals
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